Mitchell's unbeaten 131 powers New Zealand to ODI series-leveling win over India

Will Young also scored 87 off 98 balls, as he and Mitchell put on a match-winning 162 off 152 balls for the third wicket. It was the fourth-highest third-wicket partnership for the Black Caps in ODIs.

Mitchell's century topped Lokesh Rahul’s 112 not out off 92 balls. India — put into bat — was 118-4 at one stage, before Rahul played a rescuing hand with his eighth hundred in ODIs.

Medium pacer Kristian Clarke had picked 3-56 in eight overs for the Black Caps.

India won the first ODI in Vadodara by four wickets. Indore will host the decider Sunday.

Earlier, skipper Shubman Gill scored a second consecutive half-century as India made a decent start.

Gill scored 56 off 53 balls, with nine fours and a six, as he put on 70 off 74 balls with Rohit Sharma (24).

Clarke had Sharma caught off a miscue in the 13th over as India’s progress slowed down. Later, Virat Kohli (23) also chopped onto his stumps off Clarke.

In between, Gill failed to carry on from his start while vice-captain Shreyas Iyer (8) too was caught off Clarke in the 22nd over.

Rahul then shepherded the innings as he put on vital lower-order partnerships. He added 73 off 88 balls with Ravindra Jadeja (27) and then another 57 off 49 balls with Nitish Reddy (20).

The keeper-batter reached 50 off 52 balls, and then accelerated toward the end overs to score the next 50 off 35 balls. Overall, his hundred came off 87 balls even as India ended up with a below-par score.

In reply, New Zealand did not start well. Harshit Rana bowled Devon Conway for 16, while Prasidh Krishna bowled Henry Nicholls for 10. The Black Caps were down to 46-2 in 12.4 overs.

Mitchell and Young then came together and stitched together a dominant partnership.

Young scored 50 off 68 balls — his first against India in ODIs as also a first 50-plus score in 12 innings. Mitchell too scored 50 off 52 balls.

While the Indian attack struggled with evening dew, there were also a couple late reprieves for the two batters. The pair survived a run-out chance while Mitchell also gained from a dropped catch, both in the 36th over.

“The run-rate had crept up to seven but once we got into a rhythm, we felt there was an opportunity to put pressure back onto India,” Young said. “We timed it very well. After scoring 300 in the first game, 285 felt like a very chaseable number.”

Kuldeep Yadav — expensive on the day with 1-82 in 10 overs — finally got the breakthrough in the 38th over sending back Young.

It wasn’t enough — Mitchell scored 100 off 96 balls and then sped his way to the finish line, finishing with 11 fours and two sixes.

New Zealand won with 15 balls remaining and sealed its highest ODI chase on Indian soil.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket